MAIB issues rallying call over safety drift

Rob Loder, Marine Accident Investigation Branch’s (MAIB) chief inspector of marine accidents, has issued what he terms a “rallying call”. He wants all “in the marine sector to contribute to future marine safety by reporting unsafe occurrences that they have encountered during marine operations.”

Loder believes that data on seemingly inconsequential events can inform the bigger picture of risk and can literally provide the opportunity to save lives.

“A seafarer need not lose their life, or a ship be lost, to improve marine safety,” he says.

This comes as MAIB publishes it’s annual report. That states the reporting of marine casualties and incidents continues to increase year-on-year, although the growth of the reporting rate has slowed.

“MAIB is aware that there can be a culture of under-reporting less serious marine incidents and near misses,” says Loder.

Annual report raises various issues – with uncrewed vessels

Watchkeeping standards remain an ongoing concern for MAIB.

“The standard of watchkeeping, lookout and the application of the collision regulations continue to be a concern on merchant ships . . . [a] drift from established seafaring practice can result in loss of life, pollution and the loss of a vessel.”

Future challenges are noted, particularly in the case of uncrewed surface vessels. Loder references the collision between the X18 (uncrewed) and Iceni Legend (crew transfer) which happened this time last year.

“Fortunately, there was no loss of life,” he says. “But the accident is providing the opportunity to understand how a remotely controlled slow-moving vessel operates in the same sea space as a fast-moving vessel helmed by a human.

“There is a drive to automate, reduce manning and move to larger fully autonomous vessels.” He adds that MAIB’s investigation will inform vessel build and operation standards, seafarer training and how a human can understand what the robot might do (and vice versa).

Written procedures must work in practice

On fishing vessels, he says “it is common to find that the safety procedures that are written are not used and the equipment that they describe, such as safety tethers, are not present.

“It should be remembered that a safety folder is not merely an exercise in compliance but should describe realistic safety measures that are followed.

“Fatigue continues to plague the fishing industry, with two vessels grounded and lost during 2025. The drive to keep fishing is understandable in such a tough economic climate. Long days of fishing and night maintenance can take their toll and the risk of falling asleep on watch is ever present.”

And in a stark warning to operators: “Do not take a chance by going to sea while exhausted: put the safety of your crew and vessel first – manage your rest periods.”

With all that said, Loder notes that the 90 per cent acceptance of the recommendations made by MAIB during 2025 (representing a 5 per cent increase on the previous year) is heartening and is testament to the positive attitude to improving marine safety adopted by the majority of stakeholders.

MAIB’s annual report includes statistics on accidents to UK ships and seafarers worldwide, and to foreign flag vessels and their crews in UK waters. It also contains an overview of the work of MAIB, details of reports published and contains analysis of the safety recommendations issued during the year and the status of outstanding recommendations from previous years.